Bravemansgame cleared for Gold Cup rematch with Galopin Des Champs after sale approved

Bravemansgame’s Gold Cup rematch with Galopin Des Champs in Ireland on Wednesday can go ahead after a sale was approved..

The Cheltenham Gold Cup runner-up had been barred from contesting the Aintree Bowl two weeks ago after WealthTek LLP, the company founded by his former part-owner John Dance, was ordered to cease trading in the light of “serious regulatory and operational issues”.

An appearance in the £265,000 Ladbrokes Punchestown Gold Cup at the Punchestown Festival had also been under threat, but he has been declared as one of the six runners following his purchase by the other part-owner Bryan Drew.

A BHA statement said: “The Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) has today informed the British Horseracing Authority (BHA) that it has agreed to the sale, following an independent valuation, of Mr Dance’s 50% share of Bravemansgame.

"The gelding was previously owned in partnership by John Dance and Bryan Drew, and has now been sold into the sole ownership of Bryan Drew.

“As a result Bravemansgame is now able to be declared for races, including the Ladbrokes Punchestown Gold Cup at Punchestown on Wednesday.

“The BHA remains in dialogue with the FCA and Mr Dance regarding the status of Mr Dance’s other horses.”

Bravemansgame won the King George VI Chase in December and at Cheltenham jumped the last fence upsides Galopin Des Champs before going down to a seven length defeat.

Galopin Des Champs is odds-on favourite for the rematch but the Nicholls team is finishing the season strongly with four winners at the Scottish Grand National meeting at Ayr.

Nicholls gave a bullish update on Bravemansgame to Betfair on Monday, saying, “I’ve just schooled him and he was absolutely on fire this morning at schooling. He was absolutely brilliant, so we’re excited that he’s very well. That bit of extra time has done him actually the world of good, especially the way the horses are running."